Mining apparatus



April 2l, 1931. M. P. HoLMx-:s'

MINING APPAR'ATUS Filed April 27, 1928 2 Sheets-Shes?. l

April 2l, 1931. M. P. HOLMES MINING APPARATUS Filed April 27, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 MPPSPHOZ1726& @y

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La 444mm 'AZZ/y I'atentedF Apr.V 21, 1931 UNITE s'mras rAralarl Erica MORRIS P. HOLMES, OF CLAREMGNE, HAIvPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR T0 SULLIVAN MA- 'i CHINERY GOMPANY, A CGR-PORATON OF MASSACHUSETTS MINING APPARATUS application sied apra a7,

This invention" relates to mining apparatus and more particularly7 but noteXcl'usively, pertains to an adjustable. skid mounting for a coal mining machine.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved mining apparatus. Another object is to provide an improved adjustable skid mounting for a coal mining machine; A fur- 20 contained coal mining. machine of the hert cutting type and including means for varying the angle. andelevation of the machine to suit different operating conditions. These and other objects of this invention will, hfow- 2.5 ever, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings, there `is shown for purposes of illustration one embodiment which the invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings, Y

Fig. 1 is a side elevation ofthe improved mining apparatus.

' Fig. 2 isa plan View of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1. Y I

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the apparatus shown in'Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a detailsectional Vview taken on line 4-4 ofFigs. 2fand'8'.-

Fig. 5 isv a detail sectional view'taken on line 55 of'Figs. 1 and 4.

Fig. 6'is a detail sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 4. v

Fig. 7 is a somewhat diagrammatic view illustrating the machine supportedin its elerated position, the machine being shown tilted as indicated in dotted lines. 'j

In this illustrative embodiment of the invention there is shownY an adjustable skid mounting 1 lcomprising a horizontal widely 0 extended bottom engaging plate 2 having a leas. Yserial Np. 273,295. Y

flat bottom engaging .Surface .Sand .Untamed or curved sides 4 and ends 5 to permit free universal ,movementuofthe vskid over Vthe mine bottom. ustably mounted onthe 4skid and supportedby improved elevating and tilting mechanism generally designated 6 isa machine receiving and supporting rame consisting of a transverse horizontal plate l8 securedy at itsends as by riveting to transf verse angle members 9 which are in turn -l j ournaled `in these brackets are rear and front transversehorizontal shafts 16A and", respectively. Rigidly fixed to theseshatts are supporting arms 18 and 19 respectively, and

these arms constituteV the ,sole supporting means for the machine onthe skid. The lower a ends of the front supporting arms 1 91arev pivotally connected at 2 0 to abearing block 21 bolted to the bottom plate ofthe skid 2 'at the sides of the latter. It will also benoted that the vlowerV ends of the rear arms 18 are pivot- 1 ally connected at 22 to sliding blocksV 28 slidably mountedin longitudinal guideways 24 at each side ot the rearward end of the skid. As illustrated, the supporting arms 18 and' 19 at Aone side of the skid mounting have formed integral therewith upstanding arms 25and 2G respectively and the outer ends of these latter arms are bifurcated and pivotally connect'edat 27 28 respectively` to one of the ends ofan pair ot link members or it arms 30. The other ends of theselink members or arms() are pivotallj7 connected at 31 to non-rotatable trunnion blocks 32 and 33. These trunnions are herein in the form of nuts having internal threads engaging the u right and left hand threads on a rotatable and axially movable adjust-ing screw 34.. VThis screw extends longitudinally of the apparatus at one side thereof as clearly shown in Figs. 1 to 3 and is mounted for rotative andi Cil axial movements intermediate its ends in an upstanding bracket or bearing member 35 rigidly secured to the adjacent side angle member l0. In this instance the front end of the screw 34, as clearly shown in Fig. 4, extends axially into a hollow rotatable shaft or sleeve 36 suitably rotatably mounted within bearings 37 carried within a casing 38 vsuitably rigidly fixed to the adjacent side angle member 10. Herein threadedly connected at 39 within the front end of the rotatable sleeve 36 is a pressure screw 40 having its rearward end abutting the front end of the adjusting screw 34 as at 4l. It will also be noted that the adjusting screw is splined at 42 to the rotatable sleeve 36, the screw having axial sliding movement relative to the sleeve but being at all times rotatable with the sleeve. Also keyed at 43 to the rotatable sleeve 36 is a locking member 44 having formed on its outer periphery suitable locking teeth 45 (see also Fig. 5). Cooperating with this locking member 44 is a toothed locking member 46 keyed at 47r to a horizontal longitudinally extending rock shaft 48 suitably rotatably mounted withinthe casing 38. This rock shaft 48 has fixed thereto at its outer end an operating handle 49. It will thus be evident that when the-locking member 46 is in the released position as indicated in full lines in Fig. 5 the sleeve 36 together with the adjusting screw 34 are free to rotate and when the locking member is swung laterally in one direction or another, for instance to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 5. one of its teeth engages the locking teeth on the locking member 46. and as a result the sleeve 36 and screw are held against rotation, it then being possible to move the adjusting screw axially as will later be described. The devices for manually rotating the sleeve 36 and the adjusting screw 34 are generally designated 50 and 5l respectively, and as these devices are substantially the same in construction a description of one will suilice for both. As shown in Figs. 4 and 6. the rotating device 5l comprises an operating handle or lever 52 pivotally connected at 53 to the element rotated thereby and held in position by suitable thrust washers 54 carried by the said element, these washers engaging the sides of the lever. Fixed to a rock shaft 55 rotatably mounted on the lever 52 is a reversible pawl 56 adapted to cooperate with ratchet teeth 57 formed on the element to be rotated. Secured to this rock shaft 55 is an operating lever 58 bv means of which the position of the pawl 56 may be reversed thereby permitting the pressure screw 40 to be rotated in opposite directions. The pawl 56 is held in its different adjusted positions by means of a spring pressed plunger 59 carried by the lever 52. From the foregoing it will be seen that when the rotating device 50 is actuated the sleeve 36 and adjusting screw 34 may be rotated, it being assumed that the locking member 46 is released. When the other rotating device 5l is actuated and the sleeve 36 is held against rotation the screw 34 may be adjusted axially.

lVlea/ns is provided whereby the machine may be slightly tilted about a longitudinal axis relative. to the frame 7 and to this end suitable bearing brackets are provided rigidly secured to the bottom sides of the transverse members 9 at the front and rear ends of the plate 8. Supported within these brackets 65 are horizontal shafts 66 disposed beneath and extending longitudinally of the machine in the central longitudinal vertical plane thereof. Pivotally mounted on these shafts 66 are brackets or supports 67 rigidly secured to the bottom of a self-contained coal mining machine generally designated as an entirety by the reference characters 68, this machine being detachably secured to the supports 67 and adapted to be dismounted from the skid and operated on the mine bottom in he usual manner. As shown, secured to the bottom of the transverse plate 8 at each side thereof are brackets 69 having threadedly connected thereto adjustable set screws 70, engaging the bottom of the machine at the front end of the latter, these set screws being disposed at the sides of the longitudinal axis about which the machine is adapted to be tilted or rocked.- It will further be noted that there is a substantial space or clearance between the bottom of the machine andthe plate 8 to permit the desired rocking movement of the machine about its longitudinal axis.

The coal mining machine 68 is herein of the flexibly fed, continuous cutter, longwall type and herein is of the same general construction as that described in my copendingr application Serial No. 136,446, filed September 20, 1926. This machine generally comprises a easing or body 7l housing a driving motor and is provided with flexible feeding means including a feed sprocket 72 rotatable about a vertical axis at one end of the machine and cooperating with a flexible feed chain 73. Suitable guide sheaves or rolls 74 are provided on the machine at each side of the feed sprocket 72 and are so arranged as lto permit reeving of the feed chain'relative to the feed sprocket in various manners as clearly'de scribed in my eopending application mentionedrabove. Also driven by the machine motor is cutting mechanism including an elongated cutter chain carrying cutter bar 75 pivot-,ally mounted on a vertical'axis at the end of the machine remote from the `feed sprocket vand swingable laterally to positions at either side of the machine and lengthwise of the machine. VSuitable means is employed to rigidly lock the cutter bar in its different adjusted positionsand comprising a rotatable locking pin 76 carried by the cutterv bar and engageable with appropriately located Leon-see In the use of theimproved mining appa:-v

ratus it will be assumed that the same is posittioned at the coal face andv thecutter. bar is inthefull line position as shown in Fig. 2. Incase the mine bottom is uneven thel operatorniay adjust thefset screws 70 `and thereby tilt the machineS about the pivots 66 until the cutter bar assumes'a-.positi-on ina substantially horizontal. plane. The operator then connects the feed chain 73. to thecutter bar locking pin 76 as indicated in full lines in Fig. 2 and upon rotation ofthe feed sprocket 72 the feed chain is drawn in and the cutter-.bar swung about its pivot, from the full line position shown in Fig.2 to the dotted line position to effect .a sumping cut. The cutter bar is thereafterrigidlyy locked in position at `a right angle to the machine :body by the lockingr means 76. Thefeed chain 73 is then disconnected from the cutterbar locking means-and extended from thev feed sprocket 72 around certain of .thef guide sheaves 74 forwardly longitudinal-ly of the machine to asuitable roof ack disposedadjacent thelcoal face in advance of the apparatus. `The feed'sprocket is then again ro'- tated `by power and the machineY fed `bodily relative to the feed chain along ,thencoal face to effect a longwallcutting operation. vIf it is desired to change theelevation of the machine, that is, to adjust the machine from the position shown in Fig; 1 Vtothe-"position shown in Fig. 7 or in any'intermediate posi tion so that the'cutter bar4 may` operatein different planes, the operatoii grasps the lever 49 and swings the locking member 46 to the full line position shown in Fig. 5 'therebyreleasing the locking member 44.v The-oper? ator then graspsrthe operating lhandle ofthe ratchet and pawl device 5()A and `oscillates ther same thereby rotating the; sleeve 36 together with the'adjusting screw 34 splined thereto. Rotation of this screw 34 causes the trunnion nuts 32, 33 to move axially alongsthe adjusting screw and relative toweach. other, thereby effecting swingingmovement of the supporting arms 18 .and 19in opposite directions about their-pivotsand Athereby caus-v ing the machine to beraised or lowered as desired, It isevident that the screw 34 'may be rotated v in theiopposite. direction upon reversal ofthe position ofthe pawl 56. If it is desired to varythe angle-of the machine, thatis,vto tilt the'machineabout a substantially transverse axis, the# operator swings the locking member 46 into the dotted line position. shown in Fig; 5 thereby locking the sleeve 36 againstrotation. The operator then graspsthe handle of the ratchet and pawl device 51 and moves the same back and forth, thereby effectingA rotation of r the pressure screw 40 relative to the then stationary sleeve 36xand as the screw 40 abuts the rear end of the adjusting screw 34 the latter is slid axially relative to the .sleeve 36 thereby effecting swinging of thearms relative-to each other, the slidable` blocks 23 moving within their guideways 24i at that time .and as a result causing the machine to be moved into a position opposite to that indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 7. It is obvious that if the adjust ing screw 34 is permitted to moveI axially in the opposite direction the machin-e -may be tilted inthe opposite direction to afpositi'on similar to thatfindicated by dotted lines in Fig. 7.V Other uses and advantages of the improved adjustable skid mounting will be clearly apparent to those skilled in this art.

lVhile I have in this application specifically described one formv which thev invention mayyassumefin'practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied invarious other forms without departing from its spirit i or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: i

1. In amining apparatus, a body Vcarrying cutting mechanism, a skid, and adjustable supporting means between said body and skid including pivoted supporting arms, one of said arms being pivoted to said skid while the other has a sliding connection with said skid, and means adj ustably connectedto both arms for swinging said arms about their pivotslto vary the position of said bodyrelative to said skid. v

2. In a mining apparatus, a body carrying cutting mechanism, a skid, and adjustable supporting means between saidbody andskid including pivoted supporting arms, certain of said arms Vbeing pivoted tosaid skid while the others -have a sliding connection with said skid, and means forl edecting relative swinging movement of said arms to tilt'said bot v relative to said skid, said arms having sliding connection with said skidand moving within their slides during such tilting morement. Y

3. In a mining apparatus, a body carrying cutting mechanism, a skid, and adjustable supporting means between said body and skid including pivoted front and rear supporting arms, and means adj ustably connected to both arms at the opposite 'sides of their pivots from said skid for simultaneously swinging said lli) arms to vary the elevationof said body -rela- Y tive tosaid skid.

f 4.vu In amining'apparatus, a body having cutting mechanism, and a support for said body, a skid, and adjustable supporting means between said body and support and said skid including arms pivoted on said support, certain of said arms being pivotally connected to said skid, and means including a mechanical'connection between and adjustably connected with said arms at the opposite sides of their pivots from said s rid for swinging said arms about their pivots to vary the elevation of said body relative to said skid.

5. In a mining apparatus, a body having cutting mechanism, and a support for said body, a skid, and adjustable supporting means between said body and support and said skid including arms pivoted on said support, certain of said arms being pivotally connected to said skid, and a sliding connection between said other arm and said skid, and means including a mechanical connection between and adjustably connected with said arms for swinging said arms about their pivots to vary the elevation of said body relative to said skid.

6. In a miningapparatus, cutting mechanism, a skid, and adjustable supporting means between said body and skid including pivoted supporting arms certain ot which are pivotally connected to said skid, and means for swinging said arms about their pivots to vary the elevation and angle of said body relative to said skid.

7. In a mining apparatus, a body carrying cutting mechanism, a skid, and adjustable supporting means between said body'and skid including pivoted supporting arms certain of which are pivotally connected to sai'd'skid while the other arms have a sliding connection with the latter, and means for swinging said arms about their pivots to vary the elevation and angle ot' said body relative to said skid.

8. In a mining apparatus, a body carrying cutting mechanism, a skid slidable on its bottom on the mine bottom, and adjustable supporting means between said body and skid comprising pivoted front and rear supporting arms, and means for swinging said arms about their pivots comprising a screw, nuts cooperating with said screw, means connecting said nuts and arms and engaging the latter at the opposite sides of their pivots from said skit.

9. In a mining apparatus, a body carrying cutting mechanism, a skid slidable on its bottom on the mine bottom, and adjustable supporting means between said body and lskid comprising pivoted supporting arms, and means for swinging said arms about their a body carrying pivots comprising a screw having reversely threaded port-ions, reversely threaded nuts cooperating with said threaded portions, angularly movable links pivotally connected to said nuts and arms and forming 'a connec- 5 tion therebetween, and means for rotating said screw to clect axial movement of said nuts relative thereto.

l0. In a mining apparatus, a body carrying cutting mechanism, a skid, and adjustable supporting means between said body and skid comprising pivoted supporting arms, and means for swinging said arms about their pivots comprising a screw having reversely threaded portions, reversely threaded nuts cooperating with said threaded portions, links connecting'said nuts and arms, and means for moving said screw axially.

1l. In a mining apparatus, a body carrying cutting mechanism, a. skid, and adjustable supporting means between said body and skid comprising pivoted supporting arms, and means for swinging said arms about their pivots comprising a screw having reversely threaded portions, reversely threaded nuts cooperating with said threaded portions, links connecting said nuts and arms, means for rotating said screw, and means for moving said screw axially.

12. In a mining apparatus, a body carrying cutting mechanism, a skid, and adjustable supporting means between said body and skid comprising pivotedV supporting arms, and means for swinging said arms comprising an axially movable screw having threaded portions, nuts engaging the threaded portions of said screw, links connecting said nuts and arms, and means for moving said screw axially.

13. In a mining apparatus, a body carrying cutting mechanism, a skid slidable on its bottom on the mine bottom, and adjustable supporting means between said body and skid comprising pivoted supporting arms, means for swinging said arms comprising a rotatable screw, oppositely movable nuts threadedly connected to said screw, links pivotally connected to'said nuts and arms and forming a connection therebetween, and means for rotating said screw to eli'ect axial movement of said nuts relative thereto.

14. In a mining apparatus, a body carrying cutting mechanism, a skid, and adjustable supporting means between said body and skid comprising pivoted arms, means for moving said arms comprising an axially movable screw, oppositely movable nuts threadedly engaging said screw, links connecting said nuts and arms, and means for moving said screw axially.

15. In a mining apparatus, `a body carrying cutting mechanism, a skid, and adjustable supporting means between said body and skid comprising pivoted supporting arms, means for swinging said arms com prising a rotatable screw, oppositely movable nuts threadedly connected to said screw, links pivotally connected to said nut-s and arms and forming a connection therebetween, and means for rotatingsaid screws including a manually opera-ble ratchet and pawl device.

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16. In a mining apparatus, a body having cutting mechanism, a skid, and adjustable supporting means between said body and skid comprising pivoted arms, means for swinging said arms comprising an axially movable screw, nuts threadedly vengaging said screw, links connecting said nuts and arms, and means for ino-ving said screw axially including a pressure screw arranged coaxially with and engaging said first mentioned screw.

17. In a mining apparatus, a bodycarrying cutting mechanism,a skid, and adjustable supporting meansbetween said body and skid comprising pii'oted arms, means for swinging said arms comprising a screw, oppositely movable nuts threadedly connected to said screw, connections between said nuts and arms, means for rotating said screw to* effect opposite movement oi said nuts, and means for moving said screw axially to effect simultaneous.movement of said nuts in the same direction.

18. In a mining apparatus, a self-contained mining machine, a frame supporting said machine, means carried by said frameA for tilting said machine about a longitudinal axis, a skid, and means between said frame and skid for bodily elevating said machine.

19. Iii a mining apparatus, a self-contained mining machine, a frame supporting said machine, means carried by said frame for adjusting said machine .about a longitudinal axis, a skid, and adjustable supporting means between said .frame and skidcomprising pivoted supporting arms, and means for swinging said arms about their pivots to varygthe elevation of said mining machine relative to said skid.

20.', In .a mining apparatus, a self-containedmining machine, a frame supporting said machine, means carried by said frame for adjusting said machine about a longitudinal axis, a skid slidable on its bottom on the mine bottom, i and adjustable supporting means betweensaid frame and skid comprising pivoted supporting arms, and means for swinging said arms about their pivotstoV vary the elevation Vof said miningmachiiie relative to said skid comprising a screw, oppositely Vmovable nuts threadedly connected to said screw, links connecting said nuts and l arms, and means for rotating said screw to effect axial inovementofvsa'id nuts relative thereto. Y Y g 21. -In a mining apparatus, a skid, cutting mechanism, and adjustable V supporting means between said skid and cutting mechanism comprising relatively adjustable front and rear supports, and mechanism including a mechanical connection between said supports for'simultaneously adjusting said supports to vary the elevatio-n of said cutting mechanism or for relatively adj ustiiig said supports self-contained miningvmachine of the 'type adapted to normally opera-te on -itsown bottom on the mine bottom and -including cutting mechanism and flexible feeding means including a flexible-feeding element, and adjustable supporting means between said sup-v port and mining machine including relatively adjustable front and rear supports, andvk mechanism for simultaneously adjusting,

said second mentioned supports to vary the elevation of said mining machine or for relatively adjusting said supports to effect tilting ofsaid mining machine relative to said first mentioned support, said flexible feeding means being operative to propel the apparatus bodily over the mine bottom during the cutting operation.

23. In a mining apparatus, a skid s'lidable on its bottom onthe mine bottom, cutting mechanism, and adjustable supporting means between said skid and-said cutting mechanism including front and rear supporting arms pivoted between their ends, and mechanism including a mechanical connection between said arms at one side of their pivots for adjusting all of said arms simultaneously to Vary the elevation of said cutting mechanism or for relatively adjusting said arms to effect tilting of said cutting mechanism relative to-said skid. Y

24. In a miningapparatus, a portable support, cutting mechanism, and adjustable supporting means between said support and said cutting mechanism including supporting arms pivoted between their ends, one of said arms having a sliding connection with said support, and mechanism including a mechanical connection between said arms at one side of their pivots for adjusting said arms simultaneously to vary the elevation of said cutting mechanism or for relatively adjusting said arms to effect tilting of said cutting mechanism relative to said support. i

25. In a mining apparatus, a skid slidablc on its bottoni on the mine bottom, cutting mechanism, and adjustable supporting means between said skid and said cuttingmechanism including pivoted front `and rear supporting arms constituting the sole support be-` tween said cutting mechanism and saidV skid, and mechanism including a single mechanical connection extending between and 1 adjustably'connected to-all of said arms atthe other sides of their pivots from said skid for swinging said arms to vary the elevation of said cutting mechanismrelative to said skid.

26. In a mining apparatus, a skid slidable between said skid and said cutting mecha-V nism including pivoted front and rear supyiio porting arms constituting the sole support between said cutting mechanism and said skid, one of said arms having a pivotal connection with said skid while the other has a slidin connection with said skid, and mechanism including a mechanical connection extending between and adj ustably connected to said arms for swinging the latter to vary the elevation of said cutting mechanism.

27. In a mining apparatus, a portable support, cutting mechanism, and adjustable supporting means between said support and said cutting mechanism including relatively adjustable front and rear supports, one of said supports having' a slidi aj connection with said portable support, and mechanism including a mechanical connection between and adjustably connected with said front and rear supports for sin'iultaneously or relatively adjusting said supports to change the elevation of and tilt said cutting mechanism.

28. In a mining apparatus, a skid slidable on its bottom on the mine bottom, cutting mechanism, and adjustable supporting means between said skid and said cutting mechanism including pivoted front and rear arms constituting` the sole support between said cutting mechanism and said skid, and mechanism for swinging said arms about their pivots to change the elevation of or tilt said cutting mechanism relative to said skid including an adjusting element extending longitudinally along one side of said cutting mechanism and connections betw-en ali of u said arms and said adjusting element.

29. In a mining apparatus, a skid slidable on its bottom on the mine bottom, a self-contained mining machine of the type adapted to normally operate on its own bottoni on the mine bottom and including cutting mechanism and flexible feeding means including a flexible feeding element, and adjustable supporting means between said skid and s id machine including relatively adj ustable front and rear supports, and mechanism operatively connected to said supports for adjus-mi` the latter to move bodily said machine into parallel planes to vary the elevation of said machine relative to said sl-.id or for tilting said machine about a transverse horizontal axis relative to said skid, said fee-ling means being operative to propel the apparatus bodily over the mine bottom during the cutting operation,

30. In a mining apparatus, a portable sup-- port movable upon the mine bottoni, contained mining machine of the type n mally slidable on its own bottom on the mine bottom duringk cutting and including cuttin mechanism and feeding mechanism. and adj ustable supporting means between said support and machine including means for bodily adjusting said support into parallel horizontal planes for varying the elevation of the machine relative to said support and for tiltting said machine relative to said support, said feeding means being operative to propel the apparatus bodily over the mine bottom during the cutting operation.

3l. In a mining apparatus, a portable support movable upon the mine bottom, a selfcontained mining machine of the type adapted to normally operate on its own bottom on the mine bottom and including flexible feeding means having a flexible feeding element, and adjustable supporting means between said support and machine including means for tilting said machine about a longitudinal axis, for varying the elevation of said machine relative to said support, and for tilting said machine about a transverse l xis relative to said support, said flexible feeding means being operative to propel the apparatus bodily over the mine bottom during the cutting operation.

32. In a mining apparatus, a skid slidable on its bottom on the mine bottom, cutting mechanism, and adjustable supporting means between said skid and said cutting mechanism including means for tilting said cutting mechanism about a longitudinal axis relative to said skid, for varying the elevation of said cutting mechanism, and for tilting said cutting mechanism about a transverse axis relative to said skid, said means for tilting said cutting mechanism about a longitudinal axis being separate and distinct from said elevating and tilting means.

33. In a mining apparatus, a bottom skid, a frame, cutting mechanism carried by said frame, and mechanism between said skid and frame for varying the elevation 0f said frame and cutting mechanism comprising supporting means having pivoted front and rear arms, and mechanism including a mechanical connection betweensaid front and rear arms and connected to the latter at the opposite sides of their pivots from said skid for effecting simultaneous swinging movement of said arms, the connection between said arms and said mechanical connection lying in a common vertical longitudinally extending plane.

34. In a mining apparatus, a bottom skid, a. frame, cutting mechanism carried by said frame, and vertically adjustable supporting mea-ns therefor comprising spaced front and rear arms pivoted between their ends and connected to said skid at one side of their pivots, alined rotatable screw means mounted on said frame and operatively connected to and extending between said front and rear arms at the other side of their pivots, and means for actuating said screw means.

35. In a mining apparatus, a frame, a cutting mechanism carried by said frame and mechanism for varying the elevation of said trame comprising a sliding bottom skid' having pivoted front and rear arms disposed at opposite sides of the apparatus, and mechaffii iis

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nism including a mechanical connection common to the swinging of all of said arms and extending between said arms at one side of said frame for effecting simultaneous swinging movement of said arms to elevate said frame. I

36. In a mining apparatus, a bottom skid, a frame, cutting mechanism carried by said trame, and adjustable supporting means between said fra-me and skid for varying the elevation of said frame comprising spaced front and rear arms pivoted between their ends at opposite sides of said frame and connected to said skid at one side of their pivots, adjusting means mounted on said trame for eecting swinging movement ot said arms including a mechanical connection extending between said arms at one side of said frame and movably connected to said arms at the other side of their pivots, and means for actuating said adjusting means to effect simultaneous swinging movement of all of said arms.

Y 37. In a mining apparatus, a'bottom skid, kerf cutting mechanism, and adjustable supporting means between said skid and kerf cutting mechanism including an adjustable front support and an adjustable rear support, one of said supports being pivotally connected to said skid while the otherhas a sliding connection with saidskid, and means for simultaneously adjusting said supports to vary the elevation of said kerf cutting mechanism.

38. In a mining apparatus, a bottom skid, kerf cutting mechanism, and adjustable supporting means between said skid and kert cutting mechanism including anadjustable front support and an adjustable rear support, one of said supports being pivotally connected to said skid while the other has a sliding connection with saidskid, and means Jfor simultaneously adjusting said supports to vary the elevation of said keri cutting mechanism-and for relatively adjusting said supports to eect tilting of said kert cutting mechanism relative to the horizontal.

39. In a mining apparatus, kerf cutting mechanism including a pivoted kerf cutter, a skid adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine bottom, and adjustable supporting means between said cutting mechanisms'and said skid including pivoted front and rear supporting arms and means adj ustably connected to both arms for simulfV taneously swinging said arms to vary the elevation of said cutting mechanism relative to said skid or for relatively adjusting said arms to change the angle in altitude of said cutting mechanism.

40. In a mining apparatus, kerf cutting mechanism including a pivoted kerf cutter, a skid adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine bottom, and adjustaarms, certain of said arms being pivotally connected to said skid, and means including a mechanical connection between and adjusta` bly connected with said arms for swinging said arms about their pivots to vary the elevation of said cutting mechanism or for relatively adjusting said arms to change the angle in altitude of said cutting mechanism.

, 41. In a mining apparatus, kerf cutting mechanism including a pivoted kerfcutter, a skid `adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine bottom, and adjustable supporting means between said cutting mechanism and said skid comprising pivoted front and rear supporting arms, and means for swinging said arms simultaneouslyabout their pivots to vary the elevation of said cut-- ting mechanism or for relatively adjusting said arms to change the angle in altitude of said cutting mechanism, said means comprising a screw, nuts'threadedly connected to said screw, means connecting said nuts and arms, and means for actuating said screw.

42. In a mining apparatus, kerf cutting mechanism including a pivoted kerf cutter, a skid Vadapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine bottom, and adjustable supporting means between said cutting mechanism and skid including an adjustable front support and a relatively adjustable rear support, and means including a mechanical connection between and adjustably connected with said supports for simultaneously adjusting said supports to vary the elevation of said cutting mechanism or for relatively adjusting said supports to change the angle in altitude of said cutting mechanism.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

I MORRIS P. HOLMES.

ble supporting means between said cutting Y ce mechanism and said skid including pivoted 

